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enSchneiderlin, Wanyama back in Saints trainingMorgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama gave Southampton a timely lift on Monday when they returned to training after recovering from injuries.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/southampton-duo-back-training
Schneiderlin has not featured since the 1-0 victory at Manchester United last month after sustaining a groin injury, while fellow midfielder Wanyama has been sidelined by a hamstring problem which he suffered during the FA Cup win at Ipswich Town three days later.
Both players were back on the training field a day after Southampton's 1-0 Premier League defeat against Swansea City.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping the duo prove their fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to struggling QPR.
Jonjo Shelvey's late strike at St Mary's Stadium ensured Koeman's side stayed fourth in the table, above Arsenal on goal difference and a point behind United.
news_articleMon, 02 Feb 2015 14:05:36 +0000335975 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Man United vs SouthamptonPremier League | Old Trafford | Sun 11 Jan | 4pmGregg Davieshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-man-united-vs-southampton-0
Billed as
Louis vs Ronald. Round 2.
The lowdown
Newsflash! There’s little love lost between Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman.Nevertheless, last month’s home defeat to Manchester United would have been particularly hard for the latter to take.Southampton fired in 15 attempts to the Red Devils’ 3, but were still beaten 2-1 with Robin van Persie’s brace taking his league record against the Saints to seven goals in seven.
“We did everything, we created chances. But we also did mistakes,"lamented Koeman afterwards. " I said to my players, we lost not against Man United; we lost by ourselves.”
That Monday night disappointment was the third of five straight defeats, tempering Saints’ unexpectedly impressive start to the season after a summer of upheavel.
But the south coast club have done more than stop the rot ahead of Sunday’s rematch; heading to Old Trafford unbeaten in five outings including a draw against Chelsea and revenge win over Arsenal, who, like United, beat them in December.
Van Gaal’s men haven’t won away in the league since that success at St Mary’s, drawing at Aston Villa, Tottenham and Stoke, so will be glad to get back to Sir Matt Busby Way.
Long gone are last season’s woes when sides (West Brom, Everton, Newcastle, Sunderland) were rocking up at Old Trafford and ending decade-long droughts without a win. With eight victories and a draw from their last nine league outings on home soil, the fortress has been rebuilt.
Their record against Southampton will only fill them with more confidence. Although Adam Lallana’s late leveller pinched a point in this fixture last term, Saints haven’t won at Old Trafford since January 1988 (featuring Andy Townsend, Jimmy Case and Kevin Bond), losing 16 of the following 19 league meetings.
Team news
Left-back Luke Shaw will hope to feature against his former employers for the first time after coming off at half-time of United’s FA Cup win at Yeovil with an ankle knock. Right-back Rafael wasn’t so lucky, suffering a fractured cheekbone in the same game. Marouane Fellaini (rib), Marcos Rojo (thigh) and Daley Blind (knee) are hoping to recover in time, but Ashley Youngis definitely out.
Saints will have to do without the in-form Sadio Mane (calf), who has scored in each of his last three league appearances, with Jack Cork (ankle) and Jake Hesketh (knee) also sidelined. Nathaniel Clyne and Sam Gallagher are targeting returns to full fitness, while Jay Rodriguez is eyeing a February comeback.
SEE ALSO Man United sign Valdes on a free• Valdes out to help 'world's best' De Gea
Key battle: Carrick vs Schneiderlin
The pass-masters at the heart of each side’s respective midfield, whoever wrestles control of the centre circle could help determine how the contest pans out.
Michael Carrick’s return to the starting XI has played no small part in the Red Devils’ resurgence. Averaging 62 passes per game from 11 league appearances this season, the 33-year-old’s pass completion is fractionally shy of 90%, while he has also weighed in with 17 tackles and 16 interceptions.
Indeed, in United’s last outing at Stoke, Carrick completed the most passes (65/73) and attacking third passes (20/25), as well as setting up Radamel Falcao’s goal.
France international Morgan Schneiderlin continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, but recently revealed he expects to see out the season at St Mary’s.
The 25-year-old popped up with his fourth goal of the season to ensure an FA Cup replay at Ipswich, and he’ll need to be at his best if he and his team-mates are to take anything away from M16.
A repeat of his influential Boxing Day display at Crystal Palace would do nicely, where Schneiderlin completed the most passes (53/63), set up 2 chances, made 7 ball recoveries, 2 interceptions and won 4/5 tackles.
The managers
The pre-match subplot will again surround the two bosses, but with both reluctant to fuel the fires before December’s encounter, journalists are likely to receive even shorter shrift on the subject this time around. They’d rather do their talking on the pitch, and Koeman will be hoping to see a repeat of the 2006/07 season when both Eredivisie clashes between the pair ended in away wins. Back then it was Koeman who drew first blood, his PSV side triumphing 3-1 at Van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar. LVG got his own back with a 3-2 win in Eindhoven.
Facts and figures
James Ward-Prowse has assisted 3 goals in his last 3 league appearances.
Saints have dropped fewer Premier League points than any other team from winning positions (2).
Man United have kept only 4 clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League games but no team has scored against them more than once in that run.
More FFT Stats Zone facts
FourFourTwo prediction
Saints miss the pace of Mane on the counter; United to register sixth straight home win. 2-0.
Back 2-0 at 8/1 with Bet365. Odds right at time of publication
Man United vs Southampton LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureThu, 08 Jan 2015 15:03:00 +0000Gregg Davies318688 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin expects to end season with SaintsMorgan Schneiderlin expects to finish the season at Southampton despite speculation over his future at the south-coast club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-expects-finish-season-southampton
The France midfielder handed in a transfer request in the close-season after criticising Southampton for blocking a move to Tottenham.
With the January transfer window now open, Schneiderlin has again been linked with Tottenham, while Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are also reported to be interested in the 25-year-old.
Schneiderlin, however,does not anticipatea switch to materialise until at leastthe end of the campaign.
"It is always difficult to leave in January," Schneiderlin told Telefoot.
"I think I will finish the season here at Southampton and then we will see what will happen after.
"I am no longer occupiedwith this type of thing, what will be will be.
"Since the summer, I have learnt that you should not think about leaving before it is really happening."
Southampton currently sit fourth in the Premier League, a point behind United but ahead of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.
news_articleSun, 04 Jan 2015 14:22:15 +0000317482 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Southampton vs ChelseaPremier League | St Marys | Sun 28 Dec | 2:05pmNick Harperhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-southampton-vs-chelsea-0
Billed as
Not the game we once hoped it could be.
The lowdown
Not all that long ago, some excitable sorts had this down as a game between the Premier League’s top two. Southampton’s remarkable start to the season under Ronald Koeman, allied with Manchester City’s heavy-legged August and September, had those people wondering excitedly if Chelsea’s closest challengers would somehow be the Saints. And how their hearts leapt at the romance of it all!
Only then came five successive defeats for Southampton, which began with the 0-3 at home to Man City and ended with the 0-1 League Cup catastrophe at League One Sheffield United.
Suddenly, such romantic notions of a title chase were cast aside and this game wasn’t quite as significant as some believed it might be.
Indeed, it’s become just another game on Chelsea’s slow charge towards the title. Game number 19 of 38 to be ticked off, and the last this side of the New Year.
We know, of course, that on the previous two occasions Jose Mourinho had guided Chelsea to the top spot at Christmas, he went on to win the title –in 2004/05 and 2005/06 –and it’s difficult to see how he won’t make it a hat-trick in 2014/15, even if City have finally woken from their slumber.
Mourinho has built the most complete team at work in the Premier League this season, with a very convincing blend of balance, imagination, pace and steel, not to mention a willingness to dive atrociously at the drop of a hat.
They also boast the sort of strength in depth that separates the big boys at the very top from the next-level teams like Southampton.
The Saints remain aesthetically impressive but their lack of depth was always going to catch them out at some stage, although few could have seen those five successive defeats coming. They’ve steadied the ship with a revised 3-5-2 formation and impressive wins at home to Everton and away at Crystal Palace, and the confidence is slowlystarting to return.
So, while this game may not be quite as significant as those excitable sorts may once have claimed, it should at the very least be very easy on the eye.
Team news
Neither side has any fresh injury worries ahead of this game, though Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand is ineligible to face his parent club. Saints should welcome back captain Jose Fonte after his one-match ban for a fifth yellow card of the season against Everton, while Dusan Tadic will be expecting to make the starting line-up, having recuperated on the bench at Palace after injury. Chelsea’s main and indeed only real worry had been Eden Hazard, who hobbled off after being ‘Stoked’ in the 2-0 win. But the fact he played the full 90 minutes against West Ham suggests he’s suffered no lasting damage.
Player to watch: Morgan Schneiderlin (Saints)
In Friday's win at Palace, the Frenchman put in the type of busy, buzzing, energetic performance that illustrates why Arsenal and Spurs are batting their eyelids at him. Topping the stats for the most passes (54), most ball recoveries (7), most tackles (5), most interceptions (2) and most chances created (2), Schneiderlin showed his importance to the team once again. Obviously that was only against Palace, and he’ll need to do all of that and much more if Southampton are to have any chance of taking anything from Chelsea.
The managers
Having seen his team win 13 of their 17 games this season to lead the Premier League at Christmas for the first time in five years, Mourinho declared it well deserved.
“I think Chelsea deserve to be top of the league. Chelsea deserve to be top of the league,” he said, twice, to emphasise his point. Ominously, Mourinho believes his team to be stronger than last season, when they arguably should have won the title.
“We are a better team. We have more creativity, more goals, more attacking dynamic,” he said. A routine 2-0 win over West Ham made it 14 wins from 18 and won’t have made him reconsider those claims.
Koeman was equally ebullient ahead of the Palace victory, preferring to focus on the bigger picture than the past few weeks. “At the start of the season, if they had shown me a piece of paper to sign that said we would be fifth in the competition at Christmas I would have said ‘OK’,” he said, before casting his gaze to this game.
“For everybody Chelsea are the biggest test. In my opinion they are the best team in the Premier League until now, but we believe in ourselves and it will be a great game.”
Facts and figures
The 5 previous Premier League games at St Mary’s between Christmas and New Year have yielded just 6 goals.
Chelsea have faced Southampton 6 times before between Christmas and New Year in the Premier League (W2 D2 L2).
Cesc Fabregas is only the third player in Premier League history to rack up double figures for assists in 5 separate seasons (joining Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney).
​More FFT Stats Zone facts
FourFourTwo prediction
And on they roll: Southampton 0-2 Chelsea.
Back 0-2 at 15/2with Bet365. Odds right at time of publication
Southampton vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureSat, 27 Dec 2014 13:46:47 +0000Joe Brewin307988 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comInjured Schneiderlin to miss Arsenal clashSouthampton manager Ronald Koeman is facing a period without key midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin due to an adductor injury.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-miss-arsenal-clash
The France international sustained the problem in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium and was forced off at half-time.
Koeman confirmed on Monday that Schneiderlin will miss Wednesday's trip to Arsenal with a scan yet to confirm the full extentof the midfielder's absence.
The Dutchman also acknowledged what a blow it is to lose the 25-year-old,who has been a vital figure in Southampton's strong early-season form.
"He's not ready for Wednesday. He's now having a scan on his right leg, we have to wait and see the results of the scan," Koeman explained.
"His injury is up in his adductor. It's not too soon to say he can't play Wednesday but for how long we don't know.
"We know exactly what Morgan means for our team, he's one of our key players and without key players it's always difficult for the rest of the team.
"We can't do anything about that. We don't have the bench, the number of players, that big teams have."
news_articleMon, 01 Dec 2014 15:06:24 +0000297455 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comKoeman hopeful on Schneiderlin fitnessRonald Koeman is hopeful Morgan Schneiderlin will be fit in time for Southamptons Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/koeman-hopeful-schneiderlin-fitness
Southampton are aimingto build on asuperb start to the 2014-15 season, with eight wins from their previous nine league outings lifting them upto second, four points behind Chelsea.
They will remain in second place regardless of results over the weekend, before taking on Paul Lambert'sout-of-form side at Villa Park.
However, Southampton could be without influential midfielder Schneiderlin, after Koeman revealed on Friday that the Frenchman had picked up a groin problem.
"Morgan came back from France with a groin injury," he said. "He didn't train today but I hope he will be fit for Monday."
Koeman also declared Steven Davis as doubtful, with the Northern Irishman struggling with a hamstring strain.
"He got a hamstring injury in the last game against Leicester," said Koeman. "We have to wait two more days but he will be doubtful for Monday."
Koeman had to fend off yet more questions about Schneiderlin's future, after the 25-year-old reportedly gave an interview during the international break stating that he wanted to play for "a big club".
"I say nothing about his future because he's a player for Southampton,"said Koeman.
"And I know, I had that experience as a player when you go back with your national team and they [the media] take some things out of that interview and they make a big story out of it."
Right-back Nathaniel Clyneimpressed while on England duty and, with his contract set to enter its final year next season, Koeman knows the importance of tying his star players to the club.
"I have had conversations with [executive director] Les Reed about players' contracts," he said.
"We want to keep everybody and I'm not surprised about his performances because he's a fantastic player and he's shownthat already this season.
"If there is any interest [from other clubs] we will know that, but we are trying everything to keep these kinds of players because they are fantastic football players.
"I know that after this season Clyne's contract has one season left and it's normal that you don't wait until next season."
news_articleFri, 21 Nov 2014 16:06:59 +0000291261 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin, Yanga-Mbiwa out for FranceFrance duo Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Morgan Schneiderlin have been ruled out of Tuesdays friendly with Sweden through injury.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/yanga-mbiwa-and-scheiderlin-out-sweden-clash
Roma centre-back Yanga-Mbiwa played the full 90 minutes in Friday's 1-1 draw with Albania, which saw a second-half Antoine Griezmann goal spare the hosts' blushes following Mergim Mavraj's 40th-minute opener.
But it proved to be a costly match for Yanga-Mbiwa, with a hamstring injury rendering him unavailable for next week'svisit of Sweden.
Southampton midfielderSchneiderlin was a late substitute on Friday, but he will also be unable to feature at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday due to an abductor problem.
A brief statement on the French Football Federation's official website read: "Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (right hamstring)and Morgan Schneiderlin (right adductor)spent Saturday morning at the hospital in Rennes, radiological examinations confirmed their inability to play in the France-Sweden friendly match next Tuesday in Marseille.
"[Head coach] Didier Deschamps took note of these absences and made the two players available to their clubs."
news_articleSat, 15 Nov 2014 12:36:46 +0000287573 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin considers move to big clubSouthampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin will consider his options if his team fails to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-considers-move-big-club
Schneiderlin, 25, was linked with a move away from the Premier League club throughout the close-season.
Having helped Southampton into second in the table through 11 games, Schneiderlin continues to be linked with a transfer.
Speaking to a news conference on Tuesday, he reiterated his desire to play for a "big club".
"A career passes quickly, my aim is to play for a big club," Schneiderlin said while on international duty with France.
"Today I'm at Southampton, we are second of the league, all is going well. We will see at the end of the year what will happen, where we will be with Southampton, if we will be in the same place and qualify for the Champions League.
"And I will make choices at the end of the year with my club."
Schneiderlin's team have conceded just five league goals this season to be four points behind leaders Chelsea.
It came despite several close-season departures, and Schneiderlin admitted even he was surprised.
"If at the end of transfer market, you would have told me that Southampton would be second in the Premier League, I would not have believed you," he said.
"So I guess for you, outside [of the club], it's even more surprising.
"But even if we lost a lot of people this summer, including the coach, the club has recruited well. There is a new coach who came with a new philosophy and who is getting used well to the club.
"We still playgood football. The new players have a good state of mind, and have been immediately effective. Their integration has been rapid.
"We have a strong team, we concede just a few goals, and we play good football. We get along very well. This is our strength."
news_articleWed, 12 Nov 2014 03:57:09 +0000285545 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDont forget the middle men: how Southamptons midfield is winning games this seasonThe Saints are keeping it tight defensively and blasting their way to victory at the other end, butMichael Coxsaves some love for Ronald Koemans hard-working engine room...Michael Coxhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/dont-forget-middle-men-how-southamptons-midfield-winning-games-season
When analysing the reasons for Southampton’s surprise success so far this season, a few obvious features stand out.
There’s the appointment of a new manager, the signing of some extremely talented attackers, and the best defensive record in the Premier League. These are all extremely important factors, but this ignores arguably the most crucial part of Ronald Koeman’s side.
The midfield zone hasn’t received anywhere near enough praise, perhaps because it’s been relatively uneventful. For example, there have been no multimillion pound new arrivals, and while the goals-against column and 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland indicate that Saints are doing very nicely at both ends, it’s tougher to find statistics to outline the excellence of Southampton’s midfield.
Morgan's way
The Saints' midfield trio aren’t household names, but they’ve been performing their jobs particularly effectively this season. In a team boasting impressive cohesion across the pitch, especially in terms of ball-winning, there’s a particular sense of familiarity in midfield.
It could have been completely different, of course. Morgan Schneiderlin did his best to engineer a move away from St Mary’s in the summer, with the Frenchman supposedly keen to follow Mauricio Pochettino to White Hart Lane. Schneiderlin ended up staying, and that decision might be as crucial as any other signing Southampton made in the summer. Had the 24-year-old left, Saints would have lost the entire spine of the side: Dejan Lovren, Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.
Schneiderlin remaining ensured Southampton still felt like Southampton. It was a symbolic factor, but also a technical one – in a team based around energetic midfield harrying, Schneiderlin is the best ball-winner. In fact, he might be the best ball-winner in the Premier League.
Playing the holding position in a pressing team is demanding both physically and tactically. When a team defends very deep, the task is clear – you scrap in front of the defence and ensure no one finds room to shoot from between the lines. When much higher up the pitch, however, there are more decisions to make about who to track, and more running to get through. Schneiderlin seems to understand the role instinctively.
On one hand, he’s very effective at protecting the defence. On the other, he’s often found towards the touchlines, putting in tough tackles and harrying opponents relentlessly. His performance in Southampton’s 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland was particularly notable – he made 4 successful tackles, and also conceded 3 fouls. He’s a physical player, and is often penalised by referees, but he’s excellent at breaking up play.
Steve-of-all-trades (and Jack)
Schneiderlin’s role as an energetic destroyer means it’s crucial other midfielders have good positional discipline. That’s the crucial thing about this Southampton side – the three midfielders are happy to cover for each other, with and without the ball.
For example, when Schneiderlin is out towards the flanks winning possession, the defence is never left exposed. Jack Cork, or sometimes Steven Davis, will drop into that position and keep the side compact.
That, arguably, should be expected. But what’s more interesting is the midfield rotation when Southampton have possession. This was particularly useful in the 1-0 victory over Stoke last Saturday, because Mark Hughes instructed his players to man-mark in midfield.
More basic sides would have struggled to overcome this press, with Schneiderlin remaining deep and his two midfield colleagues receiving the ball with their back to goal, under heavy pressure, and playing simple return balls. Southampton, however, pivoted around the pressure.
Schneiderlin isn’t particularly inventive on the ball, but he’s capable of making direct forward darts – and with Cork or Davis dropping back, it flipped Stoke’s midfield out of shape. Charlie Adam, in particular, couldn’t cope with the constant movement. Look at the passing chalkboards of Cork and Davis, and it’s hard to ascertain who was playing on which side – because they rotated so often.
Davis and Cork haven’t received significant plaudits this season, but both go about their business in an admirably unfussy manner. Cork has been performing consistently for two years now, impressing with the basics: he’s constantly on the move to receive the ball in space, and distributes it neatly out wide.
Davis, something of a jack-of-all-trades, a hard-working midfielder, has become more attacking in specific games this season – in the League Cup victory over Arsenal, for example, he was continually driving forward from midfield. He lacks a consistent end product, often panicking inside the box, but that drive has characterised Southampton’s attacking play this season.
Tougher challenges are to come, and it remains to be seen how Southampton will cope against a top-class deep-lying playmaker, for example.
But this midfield is capable of dominating matches against good Premier League sides, and while statistics point to brilliance at both ends, the men in the middle deserve their share of the credit too.
Hull vs Southampton LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureSat, 01 Nov 2014 13:05:00 +0000Joe Brewin278061 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Tottenham vs SouthamptonPremier League | White Hart Lane | Sun 5 Oct | 2:05pmHitesh Ratnahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-tottenham-vs-southampton-0
Billed as
Breaking news: manager faces former club!
The lowdown
It’s true, Mauricio Pochettino used to manage Southampton. It’s equally true that he now manages Spurs, a team that isn’t Southampton. And yes, there’s no disputing it, these two teams play each other on Sunday.
For anyone looking for a match narrative beyond most-goals-wins, this is it. How will Tottenham’s amiable manager contend with facing his former side? On the other hand, how will the Saints cope in opposition to their previous manager? It’s new club versus old club in the Poche derby. What. Will. Happen?
The thing is, this match is intriguing for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with the Spurs manager and his relationship with his previous employer. The main reason for this is that under Ronald Koeman, Southampton have, somewhat miraculously, moved on.
Defying conventional Premier League wisdom that insists new players need time to get used to the league and each other, that players (especially strikers) bought from the Dutch league are prone to failure, that losing your captain, central striker, left-back and main centre-back isn’t a good thing, Saints sit second in the table.
Credit goes not only to Koeman, but to Southampton’s executive director Les Reed, who was tasked with finding a replacement for Pochettino over the summer. Six games into the season, the decision to hire the former Barcelona defender (not Les Reed) appears to be inspired.
After all, who better to oversee a period of transition than the former coach of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord, clubs where losing your best players is an annual concern.
Whether Southampton can continue their fine early season form – their best top flight start since 1983/84 – will depend largely on whether striker Graziano Pelle can keep up his scoring rate.
Since August 2012, the Italian has scored 54 goals in 63 league appearances. In the same period, only Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have scored more goals across Europe.
Looking to stop him will be a Tottenham defence that was lucky to only concede a single goal in their last home game against West Brom. That performance against the Baggies was indicative of Spurs' problems at White Hart Lane over the last two seasons, where they’ve struggled to beat teams who sit deep and play on the break. Something that Southampton will no doubt attempt on Sunday (more on this later).
Team news
Notable absentees for this one are all some way off a return to first team action, with James Ward-Prowse (ankle/foot) and Jay Rodriguez (knee) missing until December for Southampton, while Kyle Walker may not be back from his pelvic problems until the turn of the New Year for Tottenham.
Player to watch: Morgan Schneiderlin (Saints)
So that’s what all the fuss was about. The player at the centre of a tug-of-love between these two clubs over the summer has demonstrated in six Premier League games why Tottenham were so keen to sign him and why Southampton were even more desperate to keep hold of him.
The Frenchman, who now says he’s happy on the south coast, has been a domineering presence for the Saints so far this season. While everyone was aware of his ability to screen the back four and initiate counter-attacks (the primary reason Pochettino wanted him at Spurs) it’s his attacking play that has sparkled and surprised.
Southampton went into half-time against QPR at 0-0 having struggled to get the ball into their forwards. In the second half, Koeman (to his credit) moved Schneiderlin into a slightly more advanced midfield position, ahead of Victor Wanyama and Steven Davis. The first goal, scored by Ryan Bertrand, was the indirect result of Schneiderlin winning the ball high up the pitch. His influence was constant throughout the game.
But it was his monster display in the 3-1 win at West Ham that best illustrated his evolution. Not only did he score two goals, he made 10 ball recoveries in the defensive half, misplacing only 3 passes when attacking. It's this ability to destroy coupled with his newfound flair that will have Spurs both concerned and covetous.
The managers
Koeman's doing well. We've covered that. For Pochettino, the most intriguing aspect of this game has less to do with who's visiting the Lane but how they play. Spurs have struggled at home against sides who sit deep and look to counter. What's heartening for Spurs fans is that the Argentine is showing signs of tactical flexibility that may suggest he has solution to this sterile home form.
Against Arsenal, Tottenham deviated from Pochettino's high pressing, sitting deep and hitting their north London rivals on the break.
While they won't be able to use this tactic at home, it does indicate that Pochettino isn't tied to the style of play that served him so well at St Mary's.
Furthermore, his rapid promotion of academy graduate Ryan Mason is tacit acknowledgement of what's been missing from the Spurs midfield ever since the departure of Luka Modric: tempo.
We're by no means suggesting the Enfield native will now take over from where the Croatian left off in 2012, or that he's as good a player, but he does move the ball from back to front quicker than the other players in the Spurs midfield. And against a congested middle third and compact defence, passing speed can be crucial.
Pochettino may not have all the answers yet, but he appears to be asking the right questions.
Facts and figures
Southampton’s total of 13 points from 6 games is their best since claiming 14 in 1983/84.
Since August 2012, Graziano Pelle has scored 54 goals in 63 league appearances.
Spurs have lost their last 2 home league games. The last time they lost 3 in a row on home soil was in September 2008 under Juande Ramos.
More FFT Stats Zone facts
FourFourTwo prediction
This has got 1-1 written all over it.
Back 1-1 at 6/1 with Bet365. Odds right at time of publication
Tottenham vs Southampton LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 03 Oct 2014 11:09:00 +0000Gregg Davies261197 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin out to avoid December strugglesMorgan Schneiderlin is wary of a difficult winter period, despite Southampton's best-ever start to a Premier League season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-out-avoid-december-struggles
Southampton surprisingly sit second in the table with 10 points from five matches after beating Swansea City 1-0 awayon Saturday.
The south-coast club were expected to struggle this term following the close-season departures of coachMauricio Pochettino and captain Adam Lallana, as well as Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers.
However, Southampton have defied the odds under Ronald Koeman after losing their Premier League opener at Liverpool last month, winning three games on the bounce.
But midfielder Schneiderlin - who angled for a move away from St Marys Stadium in the transfer window - is wary of a repeat of last season, which saw Southampton lose just one of their first 11 fixtures, before then going on a dismal run of just one victory in nine.
Its a surprise to have got off to the best ever start in the league after going through so many changes in the summer, said the France international.
The coaching staff changed, a lot of players left so of course its great for us to be in such a good position after five games, but its only five games of a long season and we need to keep going.
We had a very good start last year as well but it was difficult after going through a hard time in December and after that it was difficult to get back up the league. Were going to try to be stronger in that period.
The group is closer after the summer, a lot of people were saying that Southampton would struggle this season because we lost so many players.
Southampton host newlypromoted QPR on Saturday.
news_articleMon, 22 Sep 2014 07:41:24 +0000256937 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin never meant Saints disrespectMorgan Schneiderlin claims he never meant to disrespect Southampton by attempting to leave the club during the transfer window.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/i-never-meant-disrespect-southampton-schneiderlin
Severalkey playershavedepartedSt Mary'ssince the end of last season, withthe likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren,Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw moving on topastures new.
France international Schneiderlin was heavily linked with a switchto Premier League rivalsTottenham and the 24-year-old expressed his desire to jointhe exodus from the south-coast club.
However, Southampton refused to sanction his sale and Schneiderlin has played a key role in the club's impressive start under head coachRonald Koeman, scoring a brace in the 3-1 triumph over West Ham and bagging another in the 4-0 rout of Newcastle United last Saturday.
Schneiderlin has now stated that he never intended to cause friction atSouthampton and is keen to repay the faith the club have shown in him.
"I never wanted to disrespect anyone at the club," he said. "Sometimes in life, you need to make choices, and everyone was worried when we lost so many players.
"But the club showed, by buying some good players and bringing in a top manager, that they still have ambitions, and that is really what I was asking for.
"I'm very happy here, the club has been very good to me for seven years now and I want to pay them back."
news_articleMon, 15 Sep 2014 08:17:53 +0000252158 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin stay crucial, reveals KoemanPersuading Morgan Schneiderlin to stay at Southampton may prove to be the clubs best piece of business, according to manager Ronald Koeman.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-stay-crucial-koeman
Schneiderlin was highly soughtafter by former coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was determined to take the France international to Premier League rivals Tottenham during the transfer window.
The 24-year-old, who has been at St Mary's since arriving from Strasbourg in 2008, also criticised Southampton for blocking his move away.
But despite Schneiderlin's discontent, Southampton refused to part ways after losing captain Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Rickie Lambert before the start of the season.
And Koeman's stubbornness appears to have worked, with Schneiderlin now back to his best, having scored two goals in the first three league matches.
"I hope keeping Morgan is our best piece of business because he is a very important player for our team. He is playing in an important position," Koeman told reporters.
"We had a difficult two weeks but he did everything in a good, professional way and the best way to answer is on the pitch.
"It was an important decision to keep him, not only for the quality of the player but for the spirit and ambition of the club and for the rest of the team.
"Morgan was disappointed at first but that is a normal reaction and after that his behaviour was professional.
"I had several conversations with Morgan but finally it was the player who made the right decision. From what I have seen during the last three weeks he is a fantastic player."
Tottenham are expected to renew their interest in Schneiderlin in January, though Koeman refused to speculate the player's long-term future with Saturday's hosting of Newcastle United on the forefront of his mind.
"I don't know about that, we will just have to wait and see," he said.
"I'm not thinking about January at the moment, I'm just preparing our team for Saturday's Newcastle match.
"That's the most important thing at this moment."
news_articleFri, 12 Sep 2014 04:48:44 +0000250251 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: West Ham vs SouthamptonPremier League | Upton Park | Sat 30 Aug | 3pmMatt Allenhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-west-ham-vs-southampton-0
Billed as
The difference between a poor start and an OK one.
The lowdown
It's been a funny beginning to the campaign for both West Ham and Southampton. Here are two teams with their sights set on stability and maybe a good cup run - something, anything to cheer their currently gloomy supporters. Problem is, both teams are a hair's breadth away from developing a losing habit.
Sam Allardyce's men experienced the worst of home starts. Sucker-punched by Spurs in the closing minutes of their season opener - a team they overturned three times last year - after playing a chunk of the game with an extra man, they even contrived to miss a penalty. This is a fixture their fans have salivated over more than any other. The defeat will have felt as heavy as the League Cup exit that followed a week later against Sheffield United.
They reversed their fortunes with a 3-1 win against rudderless Crystal Palace, but the Hammers' problems are clear for anyone to see. Without a top class striker they lack the teeth to dismantle a team with a smattering of defensive savvy.
Before the season, Saints looked like a team on the slide. With their manager poached by Spurs and several key members of their starting XI sold across the Premier League, the side that had looked, in spells, like one of the more entertaining units in the country seemed destined for a miserable 2014/15.
However, under Ronald Koeman, Southampton seem to have found some fighting spirit.
Against Liverpool at Anfield they dominated possession in a 2-1 defeat that flattered the hosts. And while a 0-0 home draw with West Brom and a 2-0 away win against Millwall in the League Cup is hardly cause for jubilant celebrations, in a period of heavy bleeding, some bandaging has at least been applied.
Team news
Koeman has a number of fringe players pushing for a place including left-back Matt Targett who made his debut against Millwall. "I heard that Gareth Bale made his debut against Millwall," said Koeman. "Luke Shaw made his debut against Millwall. And if Matthew will have the same career of both players he will be very happy."
Allardyce has no new injury concerns, but his new signings such as Diafra Sakho will have to settle in quickly if they're to dismantle Southampton here. Teddy Sheringham has been brought in as attacking coach to install some much-needed guile in the strikeforce.
Key battle: Mark Noble vs Morgan Schneiderlin
In a game without too much of an attacking threat on either side, this fixture could be decided in midfield. How creative either team will be depends heavily on the input from wantaway Schneiderlin and the thrusting effervescence of Noble. While not being the most skilful of players, Noble does at least have energy to burn. He will have to be at his enthusiastic best to impose himself against a holding midfielder with the strength and guile to destabilise top class creatives.
The managers
Koeman is keen to improve on his group of players as the transfer window comes to a close. Southampton have been strongly linked with Spurs winger Andros Townsend and Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld.
"I don't go and talk about names, about players," he said. "In two positions we are trying to bring in two new players and we hope to bring them in this week."
Allardyce, meanwhile, feels like a man perennially under pressure.
West Ham's fans are hardly enamoured by him; excuses seem to accompany every fixture, most notably after the penalty shootout defeat to Sheffield United. "Their goalkeeper was inspired,"he said.
Facts and figures
West Ham have lost only 2 of their last 11 Premier League games against Southampton and are unbeaten in the last 5.
0 of West Ham's last 17 Premier League games have ended level (W8 L9)
​Southampton have used only 14 players this season, only Swansea have used as few.
More FFT Stats Zone facts
FourFourTwo prediction
A draw. Good for Ronald, bad for Sam. 1-1.
West Ham vs Southampton LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 29 Aug 2014 09:06:00 +0000Gregg Davies239631 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSchneiderlin not allowed to leave, insists KoemanSouthampton manager Ronald Koeman has reiterated that Morgan Schneiderlin will not be allowed to leave the club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/schneiderlin-not-allowed-leave-insists-koeman
The French midfielder has been continuously linked with a move away from StMary's Stadiumduring the close-season, as Tottenham reportedly made several approaches.
Schneiderlin's former coach at Southampton, Mauricio Pochettino, is understood to be very keen on bolstering his Spurs squad with the 24-year-old.
However, Southampton are adamant that there will be no further sales of key players.
Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren have all moved on and, although Koeman insisted Schneiderlin will not be allowed to leave, he did praise his attitude.
"No, for us that [situation] is away [gone]," he said. "The rumours about him are away. He played a fantastic match against Liverpool [last Sunday]and how he has acted is fantastic.
"He has to continue to show his qualities like on Sunday and we are happy to have him in the squad.
"It doesn't depend on offers. He will stay at Southampton."
Koeman also spoke in some length about new signing Dusan Tadic – who enjoyed an encouraging debut in the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last weekend– and youngster James Ward-Prowse, highlighting the impactboth made at Anfield in Southampton's Premier League opener.
"Tadic played well," he continued. "He played the assist for our goal. He is a quality player.
"He and [Graziano] Pelle have to realise, though, it is not the Dutch league. It is high tempo during the whole match.
"Sometimes they have a problem with that, but little-by-little they will show why we signed these players."
Koeman added about Ward-Prowse: "He is a great talent. I hope and I think he will have a great future.
"He has already played a lot in the first team and is a boy from the academy. He is a great player.
"He has a good feel for good positions in the midfield and he is important for set pieces. I told him I really like him this week. He has a great future."
Ward-Prowse has been comparedwith England legend David Beckham, butKoeman said:"Don't put names like that. It will make a lot of pressure for him.
"Of course, Beckham was a great player and it is difficult to compare players to him, but I believe in his [Ward-Prowse's] qualities. If he is showing these abilities now then he will have a great future."
news_articleThu, 21 Aug 2014 16:08:48 +0000235982 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com